THE FRUIT INDUSTRY ix ^S"EW YORK STATE 



804 



noticed in very dry seasons, when the apples are small as compared 

 to their size during seasons of abundant rainfall. 



The sod mulch system, more commonly known as the Hitch- 

 ings method, consists of getting a good, heavy sod in the orchard, 

 from a mixture of blue grass, timothy, orchard grass, and tall 

 meadow oat grass, and then leaving the orchard permanently to 

 this sod. The grass should be cut, preferably twice a year, and 

 allowed to lie where it falls in bearing orchards. The contention 

 is that this grass will act as a mulch and thus conserve the soil 



FIG. 213. VIEW OF ORCHARD WHERE TEST WAS CARRIED ox 



Plat at left was given over to clean cultivation and cover crop method. At the 

 right is the sod mulch plat with grass at cutting time 



moisture from being lost. There is no doubt but that this is an 

 easy, cheap, and convenient method to use, provided good results 

 are obtained with it. 



When a system of tillage and cover crops is used in an orchard, 

 the soil is plowed every spring and harrowed from five to seven 

 times, and, if possible, after every rain. About the first of August 

 a cover crop of some legume is sown. The next spring this cover 

 crop is plowed under and the same system carried out again. 



